Insole



C. L. CLAFF Dec. 24, 1968 INSOLE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 1. 1967 FIG. 2

lll/111111111 FIG. 4

INVENTOR. CLARENCE LLOYD CLAFF BY /Ml #W7 1- ATTORNEYS C. L. CLAFF Dec. 24, 1968 INSOLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1967 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. CLARENCE LLOYD CLAFF BY @W7 32M., 4 Mandi ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,417,494 INSOLE Clarence Lloyd Clal, Van Beal Road, Randolph, Mass. 02368 Filed Aug. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 657,566 11 Claims. (Cl. 36-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is an insole for boots or shoes comprising a two-layered article, the bottom layer being made of ilexible material impervious to moisture and the top layer being made of a flexible, moisture-absorbing material, with a plurality of capsules of a volatile liquid such as isopropyl alcohol. The capsules themselves are made so that when the insole is placed in a shoe and the wearer steps on it, the capsules will rupture thus releasing the liquid which then contacts the wearers feet. Each of the insoles has marked on it, extending inwardly from the edge thereof, a series of lines which act as indicia for cutting the insole to lit a shoe of a given size.

Background of the invention Medicated insoles are not new, and the art shows several different kinds. In such prior art articles, at least a portion of the insole is generally made of absorbent material, and, prior to use, the wearer takes a supply of whatever medication or liquid he desires to use and dampens or wets the insole with it. The dampened or wet insole is then placed in the wearers shoes. This, of course, necessitates the wearer carrying a supply of the medication with him. Also, it necessitates that either the shoe store which is sell-ing the insoles must carry the liquid to be used along with the insole, or the prospective wearer must go to two stores, one the place where he buys the insole and the other the place where he buys the liquid. This is an unnecessary inconvenience.

In other forms of medicated insoles, the insole is sold Iwith the medication already therein or thereon. The trouble with this kind is that the shelf-life (in a store) of such articles is relatively short, due to evaporation of the medication. As a result, replacement inventory costs may be quite high for the store owner.

Summary Therefore, it is the general purpose of this invention to solve the above problems, namely, to provide as one object of the invention an insole which contains incorporated therein means for holding a medication or cooling liquid, which upon use of the insole, becomes released.

Another objective of the invention is the provision of an insole containing medication on a cooling liquid and yet having a long shelf-life.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an insole in which medicating or cooling liquids of several different kinds may be incorporated, the liquids being held separate until the insole is rst used, the liquids then being released for use.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an insole of any of the above classes including means for guiding the trimming or cutting of the insole to fit shoes of a plurality of sizes.

Other objectives and advantages will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the rice application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated three embodiments of the invention:

FIG. l is a plan view of a iirst embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional elevation of the FIG. 1 embodiment, taken in the direction of sight lines 2 2 thereon;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevation of the FIG. 1 embodiment, taken in the direction of sight lines 3-3 thereon;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation (similar in location to that of FIG. 2) of a second embodiment of the invention, showing a different construction;

FIG. 5 is a plan View of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a Icross sectional View of the FIG. 5 ern-bodirnent, taken in the direction of sight lines 6 6 thereon;

FIG. 7 is a View similar to FIG. 6 but showing the sides thereof folded in wearing position;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the FIG. 8 embodiment in folded wearing condition.

Throughout the drawings, similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts. Also, throughout the drawings, the relative thicknesses and sizes of the component parts have been exaggerated in order to render clarity to the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of an insole of this invention comprising a forward or ball portion indicated generally by numeral 2, a heel section indicated generally by numeral 4, and `a connecting or arch portion indicated generally by numeral 6. In this first embodiment, the insole is made up of two layers, a bottom layer 8 and a top layer 10. These layers are cemented together (as indicated by the cross hatching along the lines of jointure 12) throughout their entire area except for an area 14 located in the ball portion 2, and an area 16 located in the heel portion 4. Since the two layers 8 and 10 are not cemented at areas 14 and 16, pockets are formed in which are placed a plurality of capsules 18 containing a volatile liquid such as, for example, isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol to which suitable denaturants may have been added. The evaporation temperature of the liquid should be below the skin ternperature of the persons feet, for example, less than F. The capsules 18 are made so that when a person weighing 50 pounds or more steps on the insole, the capsules will rupture. The knowledge of how to encapsulate a liquid such as isopropyl alcohol or a similar material such as a rubbing alcohol, or any of the liquid lotions used on the skin for their cooling eilect, is well known in the art and will not be detailed here. Furthermore, it is also well known in the art as to how to rnake capsules which have a given rupturing pressure or force. The material of the capsules 18 should be a plastic, rather than glass, so that when they are ruptured, there is no possibility of the users feet becoming cut. The material of layers 8 and 10 is flexible, and capsules 18 range in diameters from 0.020 inch to 0.040 inch.

It is preferred to incorporate within the capsules 18 the aforesaid volatile liquid (such as isopropyl alcohol) along with an odor-masking scent such as oil of wintergreen. Obviously, whatever odor-masking scent is used, its carrier must be compati-ble with the volatile liquid that is within the capsules and also must be such that itcannot pass through the walls of the capsules.

On the other hand, if desired, the capsules 18 in any `group thereof may be a mixture of capsules, one type of u capsule containing the volatile liquid for cooling purposes, and the other type of capsule containing the odormasking scent. This latter way is preferred because then the manufacturer of the insole can mix the desired proportions of scent-carrying capsules and volatile liquidcarrying capsules to meet whatever the market demand seems to be at the time, rather than having to keep in hand at all times a plurality of capsules which contain a given mixture of cooling liquid and scent.

Also, if desired, capsules containing a germicide or fungicide may be mixed with the capsules 18 at either the ball partion pocket 14 or the heel portion pocket 16 or both, depending upon the individual requirements of the wearer. Such medicated insoles will normally be manufactured on a custom-made basis by the manufacturer of the insole.

It is also preferred to use with the isopropyl alcohol a given percentage of water to counteract the drying effeet of the alcohol on the feet, and to prevent too rapid evaporation of the alcohol itself. For example, the water may range from to 30% by volume of the isopropyl alcohol, 30% water, 70% alcohol being preferred. The alochol, water, and odor-masking fluids may be mixed and the mixture encapsulated, or separate capsules of each of the ingredients may be prepared, and then the correct proportions of each kind of capsule may be used at each location of the capsules, that is, at heel and ball portions of the insole.

The bottom layer 8 is of material which is not permeable to water and the liquid in the capsules. For example, a waxed cardborad, or plastic impregnated cardboard, or a sheet of thin flexible plastic such as a vinyl resin, may be used. The top layer 10 is of absorbent material, and the purpose in being absorbent is to aid in the spread of the volatile uids when the capsules 18 are ruptured.

A further Ifeature of the invention is as follows: On one surface of each insole is permanently drawn or printed a series of parallel lines extending around the entire peripheral portion of the insole, these lines being numbered 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. These lines are positioned inwardly of the perimeter 20 of the insole so as to correspond to the sizes of shoes. For example, if the insole is made in its largest size which is, let us say, size l0 for men, the perimeter 20 would correpond to that size, line 22 would delineate size 9, line 24 would delineate size 8, line 26 would be for size 7, and line 28 would be for size 6. A similar system of cutting indicia would be printed on insoles for womens shoes. Of course, additional sizes could be imprinted, such as half-sizes, depending upon the market demands at the time, and if desired, the in dividual size numbers themselves can be marked on the surface to identify the cutting lines. If such lines are used, then the area of adhesion of the layers of material constituting the insole should extend inwardly of the perimeter of the insole beyond the inner-most cutting line.

Shown in FIG. 4, is a second embodiment of the invention in which the bottom layer 32 comprises two portions or layers 34 and 36. The upper portion 34 is made from cardboard, and the lower portion 36 is a thin layer of moisture-impervious plastic. The top layer 10 of the FIG. 4 embodiment is the same as the top layer of the first embodiment, and the capsules 18 are the same as those described above -for the irst embodiment. The pockets 14 and 16 are provided as in the first embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a third embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted to be used for womens open toe sandals or shoes. The purpose of the embodiment is to provide an insole which will tend to prevent too rapid an evaporation of the volatile fluid when used with such open-toe footwear.

The insole 38 comprises an insole bottom 40 made of two layers 42 and 44, layer 42 being a thin very flexible plastic such as a vinyl or other plastic resin which is impervious to moisture and to the liquid in the capsules,

4 and layer 44 of cardboard. A top layer 45, similar to layer 10 of the FIGS. l-3 embodiment is attached to layer 44 in like manner to provide pockets 14 and 16.

The insole includes a pair of aps 46 and 48 of exible plastic extending laterally as shown from the sides of the layer 42 at the ball portion of the insole, these aps being long enough so that when folded over the foot of the wearer as shown in FIG. 7, flap 48 overlies flap 46. The aps may be blanked out as an integral part of layer 42, or may be attached separately. Capsules 18 of a volatile liquid are placed in pockets formed between the two layers 42 and 44, all just as described in the rst described embodiments.

In use, wearer places his foot on the insole, wraps the ilaps around the foot, and then foot and insole are placed in the shoe with flaps 46 and 48 overlapping as shown in FIG. 7. As the wearer steps on the insole, the capsules 18 are crushed to release their volatile uid. The presence of the iiaps 46 and 4S of a `moisture resistant 4material surrounding the ball of the wearers foot will prevent too rapid an evaporation of the volatile iluid, thus making the effect of coolness last longer.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a fourth embodiment of the invention which incorporates part of the features of the FIG. l embodiment and part of lthe features of the FIG. 5 embodiment. In this instance, the insole indicated generally by numeral 52 is made of two layers like the FIG. 1 embodiment, these layers being a bottom layer 54 (of flexible material which is resistant to moisture and to the liquid of the capsules), to which is attached by a suitable adhesive a top layer 56 which is made of exible absorbent -material just like the layer 10 of the FIG. l embodiment. The attachment is made in such manner as to leave unattached the areas 58 and 60 in the ball and heel portions, respectively, of the insole, and capsules 18 similar to the capsules 18 of the FIG. lembodiment are placed within the pockets 58 and 61% thus formed.

Attache-d to the bottom of the insole (using a conventional adhesive suitable for the purpose) is a laterally extending elongated member indicated generally by numeral 62, the insole being placed centrally of this to provide the laterally extending side aps 64 and 66. These side flaps correspond to the flaps 46 and 48 of the FIG. 5 embodiment, and serve the same purpose. Attached to the heel portion by a conventional suitable adhesive is a T-shaped member 68, the member having the laterally extending side ilaps 70 and '72, and the rearwardly extending ilaps 74, all as shown in FIG. 8. The material of members 62 and 68 is iiexible and moisture resistant.

In use, the wearer places her foot on the insole, wraps the flap 64 and 66 around the ball of the foot, and folds up the flaps 70, 72 and 74 around her heel. Foot and insole are then placed in the open-toe shoe as in the case of the FIG. 5 embodiment. By thus wrapping the ball and heel portions of the -users foot, too rapid evaporation of the volatile fluid of the capsules is prevented when the capsules are crushed and the tiuid spreads through the absorbent layer 56.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, and it is also intended that the appended claims shall cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An insole for boots or shoes comprising a bottom layer of moisture resistant material including at least ball and heel portions; a top layer of moisture absorbent material of similar shape attached to the bottom layer at least around the edge thereof; and a plurality of capsules containing liquid between said layers at the ball and heel portions of the insole; said liquid being volatile at body heat, and said capsules being made of plastic resin material and being adapted to rupture and release said liquid into the absorbent layer when the insole is stepped on by the user thereof.

2. The insole of claim 1 in which said liquid is one that evaporates at a temperature below 90 F., thereby imparting a feeling of coolness to the feet of said user when the capsules are ruptured.

3. The insole of claim 1 in which said capsules contain a quantity of odor-making liquid as well as the volatile liquid.

4. The insole of claim 1 in which the diameters of said capsules lie within the range of 0.020 to 0.040 inch.

5. The insole of claim 1 in which said capsules are adapted to be crushed by the foot of a person weighing 50 pounds or more.

6. The insole of claim' 1 in which one surface of the insole has marked thereon a plurality of outlines indicating various shoe sizes, the area over which said top and bottom layers are sealed together extending inwardly of the insole from the edge thereof a distance greater than the outline indicating the smallest shoe size, whereby, when one cuts the insole along any of said outlines, the top and bottom layers will not become separated.

7. The insole of claim 1 in which said plurality of `capsules comprise a plurality of groups, the capsules of one of said groups containing a volatile liquid for cooling the feet of the user thereof, land the capsules of a second of said groups containing an odor-masking liquid.

8. The insole of claim 7 in which some of each of said groups of capsules are held between said layers at -both the ball and heel portions of the insole, whereby when the capsules at either the ball or heel portion are ruptured, both liquids are released.

9. The insole of claim 1 including at the ball portion thereof a pair of laterally extending ball flaps of llexible moisture resistant material, the length of the flaps being such that when the users foot is placed on the insole, the ilaps may be folded around the users foot.

10. The insole of claim 9 including at the heel portion thereof a pair of laterally extending heel flaps .and rearwardly extending heel flaps, all of flexible moisture resistant material, the length of said heel aps being such that when the users foot is placed on the insole, said heel flaps may be folded upwardly to surround the users heel.

11. The insole of claim 1 in which said liquid consists of isopropyl alcohol, an odor-masking fluid, and water from zero to thirty percent by volume of the isopropyl alcohol.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 176,428 4/1876 Daniels 36-44 1,926,283 9/1933 Herbert 36-44 2,713,215 7/l955 Cosneck 36-44 3,306,292 2/1967 Spees 12S-268 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

ALFRED R. GUEST, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. C1. X.R. 36-3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,417,494 December 24, 1968 Clarence Lloyd Claff It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column l, line 3l, "The" should read This line 66, "objectives" should read objects Column 3, line 44, "correpond" should read correspond Column 5, line 23, "odor-making" should read odor-masking Signed and sealed this 17th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

